With the dust barely settled on Sunday’s season-opener in Melbourne, the F1 circus is heading to Kuala Lumpur for round two of the FIA World Drivers’ Championship.

Hamilton, the 27-year-old Vodafone McLaren Mercedes racer from Hertfordshire, lined up on pole position in Australia, but could only finish third behind team-mate Jenson Button and Red Bull rival Sebastian Vettel.

This Sunday’s Sepang race gives the 2008 F1 world champion the perfect opportunity to bounce back.

Speaking after the season curtain-raiser, Hamilton said: “While it’s a bit disappointing not to have been able to convert pole position into victory, I’m not downhearted – there are still plenty of races ahead and lots more opportunities to score points.

McLaren drivers Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton on the podium after the 2012 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne [Picture: Vodafone McLaren Mercedes]

“I’ll just re-focus now, get my head down and look to the next race.

“The world championships are all about consistency, so that’s what I’ll be aiming for.”

Meanwhile, McLaren colleague Button is on a high after taking the chequered flag around the Albert Park circuit in Melbourne for a third time.

He said: “There’s a huge amount of positives to take away from this weekend: we’ve got a great car and we can fight for the world championships.

McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton [Picture: Vodafone McLaren Mercedes]

“This is a perfect start to my season and I’m already looking forward to Malaysia.”